Pulte takes Energy Star one step further

Pulte Homes is the largest Energy Star home-builder partner in the nation, having constructed nearly 5,000 Energy Star-labeled homes, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In Southern Nevada, Pulte has built nearly 2,500 such homes.

Energy Star is a government/industry partnership that allows businesses and consumers to save money and protect the environment at the same time.

"There are surprisingly very few builders who participate as Energy Star partners," said Steve Petruska, Pulte Homes' Las Vegas division and southwest region president. "It seems that just over the past year, more and more builders are catching on to the concept of providing energy-efficient homes, something Pulte has been doing for over three years now."

The builder takes energy efficiency a step further by including its Environments for Living building technology in each home. This means the homes have been designed, built and tested according to the principles of building science for optimal safety, durability, affordability and comfort.

In addition, Environments for Living homes cost less to own than a conventional home and can increase comfort through tighter construction of the building envelope, which significantly reduces drafts and outside noise, and helps to maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature.

Another advantage of owning an Environments for Living-designated home is the two-year guarantee of heating and cooling costs. If a homeowner's heating and cooling costs exceed the average guarantee for the first two years of ownership, the homeowner will receive a refund for 100 percent of the difference, according to the builder.

An Environments for Living home starts with a plan review, where specialists evaluate the energy features and make recommendations. All such home designs must meet specific construction standards for durability and safety, such as proper ventilation features. The homes are inspected by a third party during and after construction to verify that construction standards have been met and the house performs as designed.

Pulte Homes, the nation's largest home builder, is developing 12 neighborhoods in Southern Nevada.

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